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Help and advice for Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru

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Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Dec 2007)

"This is a little village about a mile and a half away from Pontardawe on the road that leads from there to Llangadog. It is in the parish of Llangiwg. A few years ago the population was very sparse and it was inconvenient for those who enjoy religious services; but despite that there were quite a few believers living in the area from generation to generation.

Gellionnen was the place of worship for the people of the area as long as evangelist teaching was preached there. After the building of Baran Chapel in 1805, most of them worshipped there. From the time that the Baran was built until 1828 there was no religious presence in the area of Rhydyfro, apart from the occasional sermon in local homes. In that year a powerful religious revival broke out through the whole country, and this area, along with other areas, experienced a shower of blessings and many local people joined the congregations at Baran, Alltwen and Carmel,Llangiwg.

About this time, Wil Hopkin came to live in the area and he was instrumental in persuading the few brothers in the neighbourhood to form a prayer meeting on Sunday evenings. The names of the ones who joined in the good work with W. Hopkin were Howell Llewellyn, Evan Howell, Job Morgan and his son, Thomas Howell, Llewellyn William and Dafydd Morgan; and soon after that Owen Evans joined them. There were also some excellent ladies such as Catherine Lloyd, Margaret Edwards and the wife of Hopkin Harry.

Soon after this they received fairly regular preaching in the area. Either one or another of the young preachers from Mr Howells' school, Baran were here almost every Sunday evening. We remember respectfully the faithfulness of Mr W. Williams, now of Hirwaun, and Mr John Jones who emigrated to America, visiting the locality while they were in Baran school. When everything had been very successful for some time, a spirit of emigration arose in the locals and many of the most faithful moved to America and the prayer meetings almost died out after their loss.

But Fate arranged things more kindly by leading a notable old faithful by the name of Dafydd Jones to live in Gelligron Mill about the year 1832. He was a means, not only of reviving the prayer meetings, but also in establishing a Sabbath school in the area which was a great blessing to the young people and others. The school managed to multiply the congregations who came to the prayer meetings and to listen to the sermons, and it was felt that the homes they were held in were unsuitable especially for establishing a school.

To this end they discussed and decided to build a small schoolroom to be used as a school and other religious devotions on the afternoon and evening of the Sabboth but it was not expected to be more than just going up to Baran every Sunday morning. William Hopkin, Godrergarth and Owen Evans, Llwynmudw were appointed to travel around the area collecting promises towards the schoolroom. They received a kind welcome and more generous promises then they had expected everywhere they went. After they had called in every house in the area, they went to the highlands, in the area of the Baran, on one visit, but instead of help, they received a churlish reception on the whole, as the inhabitants believed they wanted to build a schoolroom which would turn its back on the mother church completely. The unkindness of the people of Baran speeded up the split with the people of Rhydyfro. When the people of the vale realised that the highland people were opposed to them, instead of building a schoolroom, as they meant to do, they built a chapel costing £320, without a gallery.

Building started in the year 1843, and once the work was finished, about forty members of the Baran left and they were established as an Independent chapel on January 10th, 1844. Mr Pryse, Cwmllynfell, who was the former minister in the chapel in Baran, took office, and his connection to the chapel continued until the end of his days.

The cause was surprisingly successful under his care when in the latter years there was a membership of more than 100, which was a large number in such a narrow area with such a sparse population. A gallery has been constructed in the chapel for many years now and the graveyard has been tidied and a convenient chapel house has been built nearby, and the whole lot without debt.

Having lived on occasional ministry for about a year after the death of their respected minister, this chapel put herself under the care of Mr John Jones, along with Carmel, Llangiwg and the Gwrhyd. We took most of this history from the handwriting of Mr Pryse, Cwmllynfell, which was written by him less than a year before he died."

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Jan 2008)

"This chapel has been built on top of the Gwrhyd mountain and close to half way from Carmel to Pantteg. As we noted in the history of Cwmllynfell, there was a little chapel in Forchegel, close to the spot where the present Gwrhyd chapel now stands, since the beginning of the eighteenth century, and although many are buried there, the place was allowed to fall in ruins. Most of the people living in the area remained non-conformists, and carried on worshipping in Cwmllynfell, Gellionnen or Alltwen until Carmel and Pantteg were built closer to them. Since the road conditions to Carmel and Pantteg were poor the people of the area had long discussed building a new chapel here. The chapel was built in the year 1856, and it incorporated most if not all of the members of Carmel. The church membership dropped by fifty to fifty five to start the cause in this place. They were established as a church on Sunday, June 28th, 1857 and the new church opened on the following Tuesday and Wednesday when Mr D. Evans, Nazareth; Mr P. Griffiths, Alltwen; Mr T. Jones, Morriston; Mr W. Humphreys, Cadle; Mr J. Davies, Cwmaman; Mr G. Jones, Cefncribwr, and others preached. The church and a wall around the graveyard cost £350, but the whole amount, except for £50 was settled by the opening day and they weren't long in paying off the rest of the debt. The ones who have served as deacons from the opening day until now are, - Hezeciah Evans, Gwrhydisaf; William Evans, Cwmnantllugi; Llewellyn Rees, Gwrhydisaf; Thomas Griffiths, Pistyllgwyn; Thomas Rees, Ynyswen, a David Williams, Llwyncelyn. The membership number is now one hundred. This chapel has been under the care of the same minister as Carmel, the mother church, from the day of its opening. Unless more coal pits open on the slopes of the mountains and thereby increasing the workers in the area it will not be possible to increase the congregations. Almost all the people who live in the area are either members or attend as listeners regularly. For more than 200 years the parish of Llangiwg has been the home of Independence. Although the whole area doesn't comprise more than ten thousand people, besides other non-conformist places of worship, there are ten Independent chapels and most of them are strong. The people of the area would be in a poor moral state if it were not for non-conformism. "

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Jan 2008)

This chapel was first built in 1762 as a schoolroom and as a place for occasional preaching. Mr Noah Jones, a man who was born locally, was the prime mover for building. He was, at the time, a minister in Walsall, Staffordshire. He was the owner of Cwmbach farm, where Carmel now stands. Mr Jones, besides paying the costs of building Carmel and donating £2 a year towards the costs of educating the poor children of the area in the school held in the schoolroom also paid £1 during the year to Mr Josiah Rees, Gellionnen for preaching in the schoolroom on Sunday afternoons in the summer. Mr Jones died intestate. His assets passed to his brother. He was kind enough to sell the schoolroom to the local residents for ten guineas, (ten pounds and ten shillings) and to grant a 999 year lease at a peppercorn rent, if demanded

For many years Mr Davies from Alltwen occasionally preached in the schoolroom. In 1821 it was rebuilt and was opened in April 1822. At the end of that year about fifty members came here from Cwmllynfell and they were established as an Independent chapel by Mr R. Howells, Baran; Mr P. Griffiths, Alltwen; and Mr J. Rowlands, Cwmllynfell.

The first communion service was held here on January 12th, 1825. At the third communion in March, Mr Griffiths accepted eleven new members here. After the establishment of the chapel Mr Howells and Mr Griffiths were co-ministers for a while but quite soon the care of the chapel fell on the shoulders of Mr Griffiths. He worked hard successfully and with great respect until the year 1845, when because of overwork he had to give up.

In the year 1829 the chapel was rebuilt for a third time and it was opened on September 29th and the 30th in the same year.

Soon after Mr Griffiths gave up the care of the chapel, Mr John Rees, Bryn, Llanelli was given a call. Mr Rees ministered here with the common consent of the chapel members and listeners until he moved to Canaan, Swansea, at the end of 1850. Soon after he left a call was given to Mr. Evan Evans, Nantyglo. Although Carmel was under the influence of many good, religious men and Mr Evans was a good man, who had more than the usual knowledge for detail and scriptural correctness, in some way the chapel members and he failed to work together effectively so the term of his ministry lasted only eighteen months.

Mr Evans was followed by Mr Evan Lewis, a member of the chapel of Llanwrthwl, Breconshire, but was ordained a minister in Dolydden, Caernarfonshire. He was here for ten years. In 1864, he emigrated (migrated) to Australia where he still resides.

In May, 1865, Mr John Jones, Maentwrog, started his ministry. He is the present minister. There is a strong congregation and a chapel of two hundred members.

A Sunday School was established in 1814, which still exists, and it is now a successful two branch Sunday School. The deacons who served here at the first communion were Daniel Evans, Gwrhydisaf, the son of Mr. W. Evans, the former minister of Cwmllynfell, and his son-in-law, Thomas David, Cwmgors.

Since the formation of the chapel until now these people have served as deacons here:-

Owen Jones, Cwrtybariwns;

Daniel Evans, Gwrhydisaf;

David Jones, Llwynhen;

Hezeciah Evans, Gwrhydisaf;

William Evans, Llwynrhydiau;

Isaac James, Bailiglas;

Daniel Jenkyn, the carpenter;

David James,

Benjamin Evans.

The following, as far as we know, are the only ones to have preached here:-

Richard Jones, formerly of Talgarth, now from Britton Ferry.

Daniel Evans, Nazareth, Carmarthenshire

Lewis Williams, Carbondale, America.

David Thomas, a young man who is now a student in one of Americ's teaching colleges.

*** Since writing the history of Cwmllynfell, we saw in the old book of that church, that is now in the possession of the General Registrar in London, that Mr William Evans took over the care of the mother church in 1767, and so he was a minister for only three years, since he died in 1770, but in that short time he accepted 132 members, and christened 102 children. He was a remarkably successful minister at every church under his care.

Translation by Maureen Saycell (Feb 2008)

"In the Diwygiwr for 1848, page 15, there is a fairly full history given for this church. It was written by Mr P.Griffiths, Alltwen, who was better equipped to do so than anyone else alive, and we quote in full what was written by him.

"Pantteg stands alongside the main road in Cwmtawe, twelve miles from Swansea, in the parish of Llangiwg, Glamorganshire. In this area a small house had been built by the local people to hold a day school, the land was donated by the respected F. Gough, Ynysgedwyn, free while there was water running in the river Tawe. There were many religious people living in the vicinity, some from Alltwen, Godre'rhos and Cwmllynfell, they held prayer meetings on week nights, and on Sunday afternoons, and occasional preaching in Penpont-yr-ystrad, Glan'rhyd, Ystalyfera Uchaf and so on, but not one cause had been established. A Sunday school was started in the area, it was held in the old school-house. In the meantime, (that is around 1818), the late Reverend Daniel Griffiths, then of Felin-y-cwrt, a spirited and talented young man came to preach occasionally, and he was invited to come every month. He revived the school, increased those listening, and the school-house and all the houses in the area became too small to hold the congregation, we had to be outside - and the writer was outside nearly every time until there was a chapel. From these apparent signs of success, it was thought about, talked about, and discussed to find a larger more convenient place to worship, and that occasionally, and they came to a decision to acquire a place of worship. Mr John Jones, Fountain Hill, a supervisor on the Cwmtawe Canal (a member of Neath), who lived in the area, and a man with knowledge of building, advice was taken from him, and he went to see Mr Gough, of Ynysgedwyn on their behalf and he acquired a large piece of land for building, in a convenient place near the main road on Alltgrug common, in Graigarw, and not far from the old school-house. The above gentleman leased it for nine hundred and ninety nine years for sixpence a year, if it was requested. And therefore it was transferred to the trustees ; Messrs Jones, Fountain Hall; Thomas Harper, Pontardawe Cottage; Thomas Morgans, Penlanfach; Evan Evans, Gilfachyrhaidd; Rees Prise, Ystalyferra Isaf; Hezekiah Evans, Gwrid, and W. Evans, Cwmnantllicu. After securing the place, the building work began, there was a big effort to get the materials together, the carrying was done night and day, and starlight was used to light the way for those carrying materials to this temple. Subscriptions were made, and collections were made by the members through many areas and without any support from ministers or preachers. The Reverend John Davies, Alltwen had judged that the chapel was not needed, and that they could walk the four miles to Alltwen, or something similar to Cwmllynfell or Godre'rhos, and out of sympathy for Mr Davies' advanced age, everyone stepped back, but despite that the people carried on, and the house was completed beautifully. It measures over thirty five feet by twenty eight, and twenty feet high, and with a large gallery inside. Seats were installed, and a beautiful clock was gifted by Mr Jones, Fountain Hall. Despite the fact that there were many religious people from various places, no one cooperated to back the new house. The people of Cwmllynfell did most, but not all of them. The ones who put their shoulders and their hearts into it were the following:- Evan Evans, Gilfachyrhaidd; Rees Prise, Ystalyfera, and Ann his wife ; Mary Morgan, Penlanfach; W. Hopkin, the older, Caregpentwyn, and Mary his wife; William Hopkin, the younger, and Ann his wife; Joseph Jones, and his wife; John Rees Thomas; Susannah Gibbs; Ann Hopkins, Pantyffynon; W. John, Cwmtawe, and Mary his wife; and Ann Morgan, Cilmangwyn. These sixteen from Cwnllynfell were the heroes who faced the hard work of building the house for the Lord of Hosts, as well as Robert Todd, Godre'rhos, and his wife; Mr John Jones, Neath, and most of the non-religious people of the area. The brother Evan Evans went to Abergwili, to get a license to preach in it - and so God's temple came to this area. This strong and beautiful building cost between three and four hundred pounds, and the faithful collected about £120, given to the writer. In May 1821, the chapel was opened, many ministers came together, including Mr Davies, Alltwen, and at the end of worship he stood up and said that the name of this house of worship would henceforth be PANTTEG. The people were satisfied with this spoken from old age, despite the fact that his lack of support had caused them major problems. He never preached there, only named it at the opening. After that many came calling and the Methodists came as often as anyone. A crowd would come to listen, but still no church was formed. In December 1821, Mr Davies, Alltwen died, and the beginning of the following year, their condition began to press on the minds of the school children. They were encouraged to become members in Cwmllynfell, where the older people were members, but the young people refused, saying that this was where they should be, and this was where they would be confirmed, following this they asked Reverend T. Edwards, Godre'rhos, and Reverend James Williams, Tynycoed, to come and establish the church there, and to confirm the people, eleven of them, on the 16th and 29th of March, 1822. In the following months many more came. During May the writer from Neuaddlwyd, who was not in the best of health, to spend a few weeks in the area, and many others came to the cause that summer. On October 2nd, 1822, they gave an united call to the writer. There were eighty nine by then, and all but sixteen were young. After this things moved on comfortably, and the debt was paid off.

On the 17th of May, 1824, John Evans, Craigarw, one of the members, died and wished to be buried by Pantteg, although there was no enclosed cemetery there, only rough stony ground, which at some point had slipped with all the soil loose and stones as big as large coffers. Anyway he was buried to the east of the church, and soon more were soon buried to the west of the church. Seeing the place so depressingly rough, and the people so keen to be laid to rest by the chapel, the writer and others decided that if there was a way, to make the place suitable for the dead to lie in, it would be done, therefore the stones were removed to a depth of seven feet, and a wall was built to the depth of the cemetery, seven feet deep and the whole boundary of the cemetery was walled in. This cost the congregation over £35. The brother John Evans was moved to the cemetery. The graves have been laid out in straight lines from side to side, and resting there are between two and three hundred who lie at peace. Soon after this another heavy financial load came upon the church, that was to build two dwelling houses on the end of the chapel, and to mend the gable end of the chapel, which was leaking water, this cost a fair sum of money. After that a school was built, and a house for the schoolmaster, and a stable on the furthest end of the church ground. Later two rooms were added to the schoolmaster's house, and it all came to many twenties of pounds.

During this time, the Lord was kind to the cause in Pantteg, although many died or moved away, the church membership grew to hundreds, and it was decided to tidy and extend the gallery, with the intention of enlarging the chapel. After a great deal of discussion and taking advice, we decided to build a new house of worship, while leaving the old one standing in order to hold services, and then be used for other purposes after that.

In the year 1841, a large, beautiful and strong chapel was built, measuring fifty two feet by thirty six feet. It has an extensive gallery, sixty one pews downstairs, two doors, and fourteen windows. The building along with the wall and palisade in the front, cost around £600, which was all collected in the true meaning of the Voluntary Code, because there was no walking around the area, only speaking from the pulpit, and no one was forced into anything, only free and willing offerings to the Lord. All the debt was paid within six years, and today it is free, without a penny's debt on it.

In 1846, an upstairs was added to the old chapel so that a school could be held there, and it has been converted to a large and impressive school today, and one Mr Williams, from Brecon Normal College, is teaching about one hundred children at various stages of their education. This British School is in the total control of Pantteg, without any support from any other party, and no grant aid. There is a treasurer, secretary, and a council of the members of Pantteg, and the church owns all of the books. The ground floor has been converted to a dwelling on one side and the other a pleasant meeting place for young people to read, they have a good Library at their service, they meet there in the reading room.

The old schoolhouse and stable have been converted into dwelling houses, therefore many twenties of pounds have been spent over the last twenty seven years, but nobody complains. We can see that the Lord's cause is in a situation that, in such a way, success can be expected in the years to come- "If the Lord does not build the house, the efforts of the builders are wasted"- and the Lord does not build it, unless the builders do not work also.

On behalf of the church of Pantteg, it has not been around long enough to be counted among the distinguished, although it has had the honour of hosting the Four Shires Festival, and many other big events, it has gained a reputation for keeping the union of the Spirit tied in with peace, it is with the foremost in calling for the Lord's Day to be kept holy, and in favour of Temperance and most of the deacons believe strongly in Temperance, and there are many here who make an effort to sing musically and harmoniously. The work of the church is divided into four classes in order to hold prayer meetings, Sunday school and religious associations.

I wish the large Sun of Righteousness to stay in this place until the sun sets on this world, and the blessings of the hills of eternity descend on those who worship here, until the ashes and bones of my beloved friends from the cemetery, and the set the place on fire , if that is good in his sight."

It appears from the above history, that it was against the wishes of Mr Davies from Alltwen that the chapel at Pantteg was built. There were objections to expanding the boundaries of the cause by most of the older ministers in time gone by, because they felt, the catchment area, and walking long distances to places of worship were proof of a strong love and religious zeal.

In 1849, there was a large addition to this church. Mr Griffiths confirmed 209 into membership of the church, to holy communion, on one Sunday morning. In 1867 there were many more confirmed. In the year 1865 the chapel was built for the third time under the supervision of Mr John Morgan, Penlanfach, one of the deacons. The cost was no more than £700, thanks to the care and knowledge of Mr Morgan, but the chapel is as large and beautiful as those where £1,200 has been spent. The opening services were held on September 24th and 25th 1865, sermons were given by Messrs D. Davies, New Inn; W. Morgan, Maesteg; T. Rees, D.D., Swansea; H. Oliver, B.A., Pontypridd; D. Price, Aberdare; W. Jones, Swansea; J. Roberts, Neath, and others.More than half the debt had been cleared before the end of the opening services, and the remainder has long since been cleared. At the end of 1866, Mr Griffiths Alltwen, gave up the pastoral care for this church after ministering to it for forty four years. . The wide field of his labours, old age and the fact that Pantteg was now capable of supporting it's own minister, these were factors in his decision. In the summer of 1867, a call was sent to Mr John Jenkins, Treffynnon, who was here until the end of 1868, when he moved to Seion chapel, Swansea.

At the end of 1870, a call was sent to Mr E. Trefor Jones, Meifod, Montgomeryshire, the current minister. His induction was held on February 22nd and 23rd, 1871 when a sermon on the nature of a church was given by Mr B. Williams, Canaan; a prayer for the union to be blessed was given by the old minister Mr Griffiths, Alltwen. Dr Rees, Swansea preached a challenge to the minister, and Mr Johns, Llanelli a challenge to the church.

The preachers raised in this church are:-

Benjamin Thomas, Minister of Gurnos Church

Thomas Evans, Talgarth,

John Clee, a very promising young man, he died at the start of his public life."

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Nov 2008)

This place of worship stands in the parish of Llangiwg, Glamorgan, but within a few yards of the parish of Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, and very close too to the parish of Ystradgynlais, Breconshire. It is pretty certain that the cause in this place started in the early days of non-conformism, but we have failed to date it precisely or to find the names of the originators. "It is thought that a man by the name of Phillips was the first minister in Cwmllynfell, and that he was followed by John Llewellyn, and Llewellyn Bevan"[1] We have not come across the names of Mr Phillips nor Mr John Llewelyn in any printed or written document, only in Mr Pryse' document, but the name of Llewellyn Bevan is often seen in old documents. He was a minister in Cwmllynfell, Gellionen and Gwynfe in 1715, and possibly for several years before that. Apparently, from the beginning, these three congregations shared the ministry and in 1715, they were, together, six hundred in number, and the members possessed twenty nine votes over the counties of Glamorgan, Carmarthen and Breconshire. We are unsure of the time of Llewellyn Bevan's death, but Roger Howell was co-working with him in 1715 and carried on ministering here till his death in 1742. Apparently, Joseph Simmons was ordained here as a co-minister with Roger Howells around the time of Llewellyn Bevan's death, and he continued to minister to this church and Gellionen until he took the care of Maesyrhaf, Neath, around 1751. We understand that there was no settled minister here after he left until William Evans was ordained in Neath as a lay preacher in 1754. He ministered to the churches in Rhydymardy and Cwmmawr on two Sundays in every month, and Brychgoed on one Sunday in the month for some years, and it is likely that his mother-church in Cwmllynfell had his ministry on the other Sunday in the month. Between 1757 and 1769 Mr Evan Williams, from Brychgoed and Mr Lewis Rees, Mynyddbach gave some of their ministry to the people of Cwmllynfell, but it is likely that it was as assistants to Mr William Evans that they visited the place, since the congregations of the Tawe Valley, the Aman Valley and Alltwen were under his care, along with Cwmllynfell, Rhydymardy and Cwmmawr. It was a great loss to the church and the country in general when this hard working minister died at the age of fifty four in 1770. It is said that on his death bed he advised the people of Cwmllynfell, Alltwen and Cwmaman to call Mr John Davies, Pentre-ty-gwyn, to be his successor, which they did. Mr Davies started his ministry here in 1771, and continued his labours with respect and great influence until 1821, when he died at a fair age. Soon after the death of Mr Davies, the church in Cwmllynfell and Cwmaman sent out a call to John Rowlands, Llanybri, and he stayed here with respect and was extremely popular till his untimely death in May 1834. The church was without a settled minister for a year after this and the church in Cwmllynfell then called Mt Rhys Pryse, Llanwrtyd, and he was ordained on August 19th and 20th, 1835. On that occasion, the first sermon was delivered by Mr D. Evans, Cwmwysg; the questions were asked by Mr W. Davies, Llandovery; the ordination prayer was delivered by Mr H. Herbert, Newtown; Mr D. Williams, Llanwrtyd preached to the minister, and Mr P. Griffiths, Alltwen, preached to the church.[2] He was well-known and successful here for the rest of his life. Soon after his induction here in Cwmllynfell, a chapel was built and a church established in Brynaman, which has been a strong, flourishing church for some years now. On the death of Mr Pryse, his ministry was divided and each church took ministers of its own. The church in Cwmllynfell called Mr John Rees, a student in Bala college, and he was ordained on September 28th and 29th, 1870. Mr W.E. Evans, Capel Seion, preached on the nature of the church; the usual questions were asked by Mr W. Williams, Hirwaun; Mr P. Griffiths, Alltwen, prayed for a blessing on the union; the challenge to the minister was given by Mr J. Peter, Bala, and to the church by Mr T. Rees, Swansea.[3] He is the present minister. We are confident that he, like his famous predecessor, will labour acceptably and successfully here till the end of his career. We have no history that anyone, apart from Mr Joseph Simmons, from the ministers of this church that have left before he was prevented from continuing by death.

We have not discovered the time of building the first chapel. The second chapel was built in 1814, and was repaired and re-organised in 1823. In 1860, the old chapel was pulled down and the present larger one, was built. In the same year too, a larger house was built in Cwmtwrch which was called the Temperance Hall, where the Sunday school, religious associations, prayer meetings and occasional preaching were held. All the Independent and Methodist churches from Blaen-glyn-tawe to Glanaman, and from Godrerhos and Pontardawe to Brynaman can be considered as direct or indirect branches of the old mother church in Cwmllynfell, and even though so many branches have gone forth from her, the old church is now stronger and more numerous than ever. Cwmllynfell and Gellionen was considered as one ministerial circuit if not as one church until the year 1767 when Mr Josiah Rees in Gellionen was inducted and that congregation was considered as Arminian, and gradually became Arian, and for more than sixty years now completely Unitarian. At the time that the congregations in Gellionen and Cwmllynfell were under the same ministry they had a small chapel in Fforchegel, on the edge of the mountain, about half way between the two places. Many were buried there. Since the two congregations divided the chapel in Fforchegel was disused as it is not likely that they could work together in its use on Sunday afternoons as they had previously. Now there is little sign of the old house of worship in Fforchegel apart from the broken pieces of old gravestones; but the chapels of Carmel, Rhydyfro and Gwryd more than fill the gap left by that holy place.

Undoubtedly, many preachers have been raised in this old church over the generations, but we have been unable to find any of the names of the ones who were raised here in the early days of the cause. It is quite likely that Llewellyn Bevan and Roger Howell were original members of this church, who were for years ministers here, and it is certain that William Evans was brought up here. Each of these will be brought to notice elsewhere.

Evan Williams, the brother of William Evans, the minister, is the first preacher raised here and we have his history, apart from the ones who were ministers in the place. He was born in Abercrave, in the parish of Ystradgynlais, on January 6th, 1719. His parents were faithful members of the church in Cwmllynfell, and his mother from the lineage who established the cause in the place. He started feeling religious influence on his mind while quite young, and it was under the sermons of Mr Lewis Jones, Bridgend, that every argument in his breast was shattered and he decided to give himself to the Lord and to his people. He was accepted as a member in Cwmllynfell about the year 1739 by Mr Roger Howell. Soon after his acceptance the warmth of his spirit and his religious fervour became obvious, so that he became more public and useful than the rest of his contemporaries. Since the Methodists, who were now beginning to excite the country and to draw attention had a more suitable method of attracting the attention of congregations than Mr Howell he joined with them. Soon after he had joined the Methodists, he went to North Wales as a schoolteacher under Mr Griffith Jones, Llanddowror. On March 4th, 1742, he opened a school in Lleyn, Caernarfonshire, but the spirit of persecution was so strong in that part of the country that his school stayed open for only two days. Late that second day two angry men came to his lodgings to ask why he had come to the area, saying that there was no need of him or his school or his books, that the Bible and the book of Common prayer was enough to lead them to heaven. They insisted he leave the house, intending to beat him, but he refused to leave the house and they went away sometime before midnight. Next morning, the Sabbath, Mr Williams went to the parish church, where the parson delivered a bitter sermon against him, the non-conformists and the Methodists. At the end of the service Mr Williams went outside, but as soon as he was outside the holy walls one of the parson's faithful followers took off his outer clothes and started to beat the young man mercilessly. As he was beaten his head was wounded badly. The rest of the parson's listeners laughed while watching the innocent man being beaten so cruelly. When the enemy tired, he went wounded to his lodgings. About midnight that night some religious friends came to his lodgings to inform him that his pursuers intended coming the next morning to catch him, and they encouraged him to go with them to a place of safety. They took him to Tyddynmawr. The next morning about thirty persecutors collected, armed with guns, sticks and dogs, as if they were going out to catch a wild animal; after searching fruitlessly all day, they went to a place called Bodfeiliog, close to Tyddynmawr, to eat and drink, and then they went from house to house to search for their prey, and amongst other places they went to Tyddynmawr. While they were there the family had persuaded Mr Williams to hide in a cupboard. After searching the whole house, one of them gave the cupboard a kick saying "Maybe he's here." "The fool," said one of them, "What would he be doing in a place like that," and off they went to another place. After they had gone he discussed with the family and decided it would be better for him to return to the South, and he did so. He started out at midnight. He was in great distress the next day. Men were running after him trying to catch him, and while he was trying to escape from them he ran through a river near Pwllheli, where he nearly drowned as the tide was high in the river at the time. After crossing the river he walked for several miles in wet clothes. He managed to find some sort of lodgings that night between Pwllheli and Porthmadog; and he wore his wet clothes the next morning, and he then went towards his own region. That cruel treatment affected his health for the rest of his life and that was the cause of his death.After returning home he re-joined the Non-Conformists in 1743, and was accepted as a student in Carmarthen college in 1745. While he was there he received daily calls to preach, and there were blessed effects following his preaching everywhere. In 1747, he again visited North Wales, and he preached in Caernarfonshire until Christmas that year, when he returned to the college in Carmarthen. On the 13th of August, 1748, he became ill and died after six days of affliction. He was buried near Heol Awst Chapel, Carmarthen. Evan Williams is likely to have become one of the most famous and useful ministers in Wales had he had life and health, but the will of the wise Almighty was to take him to Himself as his worth and usefulness were starting to appear.

Morgan Jones. He started preaching in the year 1770. He comes to our notice under the history of Llangatwg, Crickhowell where he was ordained.

Thomas Davies. The nephew of Mr John Davies, the minister. We will mention him again in the history of Bethania, Llanon and Cymer, Glamorgan, where he died.William Jones, Llwynhen. He was a minister for years in St Ives, Cornwall.

Daniel Morgan. It is said that he ministered with the English but we don't know where.

Evan B. Evans, from Hyde Parke, America.

Evan Watkins, now from Llangattwg, Crickhowell.

Daniel Rees, who emigrated to America. Ordained in Beavers Meadow, he died there.

John Morgan Thomas, from Glynneath, but now from America.

William Thomas, the minister of Bethel and Zoar, near Whitland.

Moses Rees. He was in Brecon college and is now a schoolmaster near London.

John Gwrhyd Lewis. He is now a student in Carmarthen college.

Morgan Hopkin. He is a student in Carmarthen.

John Williams. He is in a preparatory school in Cardiff.

William J. Gwilym. A young man who has started preaching lately.

Many members of this church are worthy of being remembered for their religious excellence, but we are limited to mention only a few of them. Mr John Jones, Brynbrain, the father-in-law of Mr Rowlands and Mr Pryse, was one of these, a salt of the earth. Ezeciel, Daniel and Benjamin Evans, the sons of the former minister, William Evans. It won't be easy to forget the names of Edward William, Glyncynwelisaf; Richard Bowen, Dorwen; Owen Bowen, Penywern; Sion Gwilym, Thomas William, Cwmtwrch; Dafydd William, Ddolgam; Dafydd Sion Lewis William J. Thomas, Felinfach; Dafydd Isaac, Y Dderi; John Harries, Coedffalde; Griffith T. Williams, and Lewis Rowlands. These excelled.

The church at Cwmllynfell has not only cared for the evangelical ministry in the area for more than two hundred years, but it has also for many years cared for a day school for the children of the community. A schoolroom was built near the chapel in 1804, and it was extended twice after that. It is now a large suitable schoolroom and an effective school is held there. [4]

[1] Mr. R. Pryse' document

[2] 'Diwygiwr', 1836. page. 275.

[3] 'Tyst Cymreig', October 7th, 1870.

[4] We are indebted to the old faithful patriarch John Herbert, for many of the above facts. He has been a member in this place for forty eight years, and an official for thirty two years. We cannot forget our connection with our hard-working friend Mr. John Jones, the secretary of the chapel; a fairly young man but very hard-working even though he is hampered by an affliction.